About Darryca

Motivated by a strong desire to become the role model she sought during her formative years, Darryca embarked on a journey of personal transformation. As a community advocate, she aspired to return to various Chicagoland communities and contribute by assisting the youth, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds. Her goal was to provide them with outreach, resources, and mentorship to overcome hardships similar to those she had faced as a child. Through this, she aimed to enable them to become integral and contributing members of society. Darryca firmly believes in the potential for involvement and influence at all levels to ensure success, encouraging the utilization of inner strengths to build a better community characterized by peace and harmony.

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Recognizing the lasting effects of traumatic life challenges on the mental well-being of young girls, Darryca took the bold step of co-founding Focus Fairies Mentoring in 2017. Focus Fairies is a Chicago-based non-profit organization that serves as a mentoring program for inner-city girls of color. She currently holds the position of Executive Director. Darryca's unwavering conviction that she is fulfilling her purpose is reinforced daily by the heartwarming testimonies of mothers who express amazement at the remarkable transformations they witness in their daughters, such as newfound confidence, ignited passions, and a renewed sense of purpose.

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Simultaneously, Darryca serves as the founder and CEO of Darra Michelle Events & Consulting, a successful event planning enterprise. Her combined experience in non-profit and for-profit community endeavors has enabled her to amass a diverse range of experiences, developing deep expertise not only in forging fruitful relationships but also in managing multiple projects while adapting to rapidly changing environments.

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​Darryca is presently pursuing a doctorate in interdisciplinary studies with a focus on non-profit and social entrepreneurship at Government State University. She holds a Bachelor of Public Health degree with an emphasis on Healthcare Administration from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Business Administration from Argosy University.